Helen Thompkins, who ran the original The Country Store in Webster, is seen in this 1909 photo.

Written by

Alan Morrell

Amid the pastoral setting and shoreline vistas of Lake Road in Webster, The Country Store stands out as a throwback to bygone days.

The store has been there, at 1319 Lake Road, since 1927, replacing an older one that was across the street. The place has undergone renovations and a few name changes, but looks much the same as it did when it opened as Thompkins Red & White just two years before the Great Depression hit.

Inside and out, you'll find nods to a nautical theme akin to its locale. There's a boat hanging upside down from the ceiling, complete with outboard motor, and a faux dock adorned with a ...